A parish united in prayer: Vigil for the fallen away

Hundreds of votive candles are placed before the altar, each one representing a person being entrusted to Christ. Submitted photo

By Father Jason Hage, pastor of Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, New Hartford & Utica

For 48 hours this Lent, Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish became a place of continuous prayer, hope, and quiet intercession as parishioners gathered for a “Vigil for the Fallen Away,” a parish-wide mission focused on praying for loved ones who have drifted from the Church.

The vigil began on the evening of March 23, with the celebration of Mass, where the shared intention of the parish was placed on the altar: sons and daughters, grandchildren, spouses, siblings, and friends who no longer practice the faith. What followed was not simply a scheduled series of devotions, but a sustained, communal act of prayer that continued day and night through Wednesday evening.

At the heart of the vigil was a powerful and deeply moving visual: Hundreds of votive candles placed before the altar, each one representing a person being entrusted to Christ. For confidentiality, names were not displayed, but each flame spoke of love, longing, and hope. As the candles multiplied, the sanctuary itself became a visible expression of the prayers of the parish — a quiet but profound reminder that no one was carrying this burden alone.

The vigil was rooted in the parish’s Lenten theme, Return, which focused on helping loved ones — and one another — come home to Christ and His Church. In response to a shared longing expressed by many parishioners, the vigil became a concrete and communal way to entrust those intentions to God.

“I’ve been praying for my son for years,” one parishioner shared. “Tonight, I felt like I wasn’t carrying that alone.”

Throughout the 48 hours, parishioners came and went — some for Mass, others for a few minutes of silent prayer, still others for an extended time in Eucharistic Adoration. Many took advantage of simple, accessible moments throughout the day, including the Angelus and Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows at noon, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m. Even those who could only stop in briefly found their prayer carried by the faith of the whole community.

Rooted in the Eucharist, the vigil drew its strength from Christ Himself, present and active in the midst of His people. Two particularly well-attended moments anchored the vigil: the opening Mass and a Holy Hour for the Fallen Away on Tuesday evening, which included solemn prayer, reflection, and the continued lighting of candles. In both cases, parishioners were invited to come forward, entrusting their loved ones to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a tangible and communal way.

In addition to prayer, the vigil also created space for accompaniment. Members of the parish’s Genesis Mission group were present during key times to listen, pray with individuals, and support those carrying especially heavy burdens.

What made the vigil especially impactful was its simplicity. There were no complicated programs or expectations — just a clear invitation: Come, pray, and entrust those you love to the Lord.

As the final Benediction was celebrated, the candles continued to burn — a lasting sign of a parish united in prayer and confident that God is at work.

The vigil offers a simple model that any parish can adapt: Begin with the Mass, invite the community into continuous prayer, and entrust loved ones to Christ through visible signs like candlelight and shared intercession.

In a time when many are searching for ways to evangelize, this vigil offered a powerful reminder: Sometimes the most powerful work of evangelization begins on our knees, together in prayer.